Planning Princess Raelee's 5th birthday trip!

[cajunrose]

I need a central location online to place info, to organize my thoughts, and to bounce ideas off of like minded people, so this is the place!

I'll post formal introductions and pictures later when I'm not on my laptop. But for now, I'll introduce us.

My name is Stephenie and I'm a photographer. My husband, Todd, works offshore on an oil rig and Princess Raelee will turn 5 in May and this trip is all about her! We are from South Louisiana.

I just got home from my Christmas trip to Oregon and am just now able to start planning this trip.

Imagine my surprise when I did the math and realized that we are well after our 180 mark for ressies. Panic sets in. I had my heart set on CRT for breakfast on pR's (our nickname for Raelee..stands for Princess Raelee of course) actual birthday. I thought for sure I would be SOL on ressies. Much to my surprise, I got in for lunch! First victory!

A few hours later, after reading trip reports, I decided I wanted to do the Princess Tea at GF. I thought for sure we wouldn't get in. Another shocker..no problems! We got in! I'm so excited! Both ressies will be a surprise for my daughter. I can't wait!

I know this is pretty boring for now..but I promise to make it better soon

For now, we on and am having a blast planning.

Now to decide on our resort. Trying to decide between value and moderate....

Until next time...Stephenie!

 

[swwake]

I'm subscribing! I am also in the throes of planning and looking forward to seeing what decisions you make!

 

[mom_n_buggie]

When are you going in May?
We are going May 4-11th.
I'm taking my 5 yr. old Princess as well, but it will be during MY birthday (her's is in March).
All she talks about is staying in Cinderella's Castle!

 

[cajunrose]

We are going to be there probably May 28th for our first day. We will have 10 days in Orlando with 7 in the parks. We'll use the extra 3 days for dinner reservations, shopping, swimming, etc.

I think (and tell me if you think this is a good idea) that we are going to buy a 10 day pass. We will go for 7 days. Well use the other 3 to hop 3 times if we want to. If I buy a hopper pass, it'll cost me $350 more. If I buy a 10 day pass, it'll cost $18 more (total). We only ever hop a couple of times a trip. What do you think about this idea?

Thanks for reading! I have an audience now..I HAVE to keep up to date..LOL
Stephenie

 

[swwake]

I think (and tell me if you think this is a good idea) that we are going to buy a 10 day pass. We will go for 7 days. Well use the other 3 to hop 3 times if we want to. If I buy a hopper pass, it'll cost me $350 more. If I buy a 10 day pass, it'll cost $18 more (total). We only ever hop a couple of times a trip. What do you think about this idea?

I recommend checking this out before you go. I feel like I have read somewhere that you can't use a ticket to hop like that.

Also, if it's just the three of you, the park-hopper option should only cost an extra $135 I think for the three of you ($45 per person). You could look at it this way: Since the incremental price increase per day is only $2 per person or less after the 7th day, the $35 you pay is still less than a 1-day ticket. And if you use it to park-hop three days or more, you've saved a ton of money!

Here's what I found at allears.net:
Am I allowed to use two days off of my MYW Base ticket (non-hopping) if I decide I want to go to a second park on the same day as the first?

No you are not. The tickets are sold and the computer system is based on the number of days you have, not the number of park visits. Once you have used a non-park hopping ticket at any park, the computer system will not let you use it at another park on the same day. You are allowed to re-enter the same park you already went into later the same day.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn't want you to be disappointed if you went with that plan and they wouldn't let you execute it.

Do you plan to return within the next year? If so, they recommend the "no expiration" option for just over $100 per ticket.

 

[cajunrose]

Ick...oh well, it was a good idea anyway..LOL Thanks for the info..that's why I posted it.

I must have been doing it wrong on the trip planner for me to get the wrong amount. That thing confuses me anyway...as does Tour guide mike. I'm VERY intimated by that site and haven't been back since I bought the service and took a look. It scares me..rofl

I got my planner finished tonight. I'll post pictures hopefully tomorrow!

Stephenie

 

[cajunrose]

Oh, and it'll be a long while before I return back to Disney

 

[cajunrose]

Just running things around in my head while reading TR's.

Pal Mickey, is he worth it? I want to put together a surprise 'welcome' basket from Mickey for our first night. Mickey crocs, etc. Pal Mickey would be perfect I think. Is he a pain to carry around?

 

[cajunrose]

So, I made a disney binder to keep everything organized in. I got a bit obsessed with it. I'm a scrapbooker in my defense and I just couldn't leave blank pages..rofl

Here are the subjects I have included. I will probably also include a packing list place too.

Smug mug stopped working..I'll post the rest later.

 

[swwake]

OMG I LOVE your binder! I am making one too. I bought the supplies at Target yesterday, but we have had company and I haven't been able to get to it. Hopefully this afternoon. But after seeing yours, I will have to re-think ours and get more creative! Do those divider pages have tabs on them? Are they in page protectors? I just want to copy cat!

As far as posting pics, I am able to do it (you can see them on my PTR). I use Photobucket. PM me if you need help with that.

I am not sure about Pal Mickey. I have read lots about him and he sounds really fun, especially for a 5 year old. Not sure we would get as much out of it, but we might get one for the novelty of it. How big is he? I have read that some get tired of carrying him around and they cut off his ear (or wherever the chip and speaker are) and just put that in their pocket and carry it with them. I think If I were in your place, Raelee will get such a kick out of it, if you can fit it in your budget, I'd get one. How much are they?

 

[cajunrose]

Thanks for the compliments! I have dividers in there now but they are boring. I'm trying to find some of these:

Hey, i did it! I put a picture in! ROFL

Ok, the title pages are in page protectors...as most of the other stuff also. However, I have those boring dividers for now. If I can find those tabs, I'll just put those on the ends of the title pages...make sense??? I think it'll look much better that way.

 

[cajunrose]

Oh, and I think MPM is 10 inches long...which isn't too terribly big. I don't know about his weight. I think that cutting his ear off is just WRONG..lol I couldn't imagine carrying his ear around with me. Too funny. I think he costs around $65 or $70.

 

[swwake]

Yeah, cutting the ear off is just wrong. I agree. If it's 7 inches, I'd get it. I will find what's in my book real quick.

It says that it worked right, but for the price, they had some complications. They said it vibrated before talking but by the time they put it to their ear, it had finished talking (wonder if there's a replay?) and that it wasn't loud enough to hear over the crowds sometimes (wonder if there's a volume switch?)

OK I was wrong about the ear. (It gets worse) "You can just rip off Pal Mickey's head, legs and nonvibrating arm", making it more portable. Still a sacrelige in my book!

The GPS is in the chest. When he gets a signal, he giggles and shakes. It says he gives trivia, park tips (short waits), and let's you know when a character is nearby.

I think it's worth it. I might get one. I plan to carry a backpack with me at the parks, so if I get tired of PM, I can just put him in the pack.

Oh yeah, and it says in this book it's $70 (tax included), and he will still laugh and tell jokes at home but won't do the GPS trivia (obviously). Also says he comes with a belt clip.

Well, there's my research for today!

 

[cajunrose]

YAY Thank you! What book are you reading? I'll probably get him too. I was thinking of giving it to DD in her 'Welcome to Disney' basket I'm going to make her that Mickey will give her the first night of our trip..along with Mickey ears and mickey crocs.

 

[swwake]

It's The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 by Bob Sehlinger. I wasn't sure if we were allowed to post the name here, or if that is considered advertisement. I guess they will edit me if it is...

I think that's a great idea to include him in her welcome basket. At first she will think it's a stuffed Mickey (which is exciting enough), but when she learns what he will do - what a treat!!

 

[cajunrose]

Oh yeah..I have that one sitting right here by me. Guess I should start reading it huh? ROFL

 

[swwake]

HAHA I have read it cover-to-cover and I'm using it now for reference! I think it's really good. The thing is, touring plans aren't for everyone. But there is alot of great info and advice in there.

I've been lazy. I need to work on my PTR...

 

[cajunrose]

Are you doing Tour Guide Mike? His site scares me..lol I get so overwhelmed every time I try to make heads or tails out of it.

 

[swwake]

I think you mentioned that site before and I went and checked it out, as well as Passporter. I am considering either or both of them, but I am quite overwhelmed at the moment with all that I have. In the end, I'll probably break down and invest in both of them. I noticed TGM has a money-back guarantee. I also noticed that both have forums. But keeping up with this DIS forum is all I can do for now.

 

[dreamer17555]

I read about your mom thinking you have too many character meals (there is no such thing!) and followed you over here. I am subbing. And also jealous of your binder!

-Becca-